Roasted butternut squash spiced soup

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1Butternut squash; peeled, deseeded
; and cut into cubes
15gramsButter; ( 1/2oz)
2tablespoonsOlive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1Onion; diced
2Sticks celery; finely sliced
1Red bird's eye chillies; deseeded and finely
(1 to 2)
; sliced
2Sprigs thyme; leaves only
litreVegetable stock; (2 pints)
1teaspoonGround cumin
½teaspoonPaprika
½teaspoonCayenne pepper
1142 millilit double cream; lightly whipped (5
; floz)
To garnish: coarsely chopped coriander
; leaves
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

FOR THE SOUP

FOR THE SPICED CREAM

Preheat the oven to 200 C, 400 F, Gas Mark 6.

Place the cubes of butternut squash in a roasting tray, dot with the butter and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and cook in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until tender.

Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large heavy based saucepan, stir in the onion, garlic, celery, carrot, chillies and thyme and gently fry for 5-10 minutes until softened but not browned.

Stir in the butternut squash and add the stock with seasoning to taste.

Cover and simmer for 25 minutes.

Puree the soup in a liquidiser or food processor until thick and smooth.

Return to a clean saucepan and gently heat through.

Stir the spices into the lightly whipped cream and serve the soup garnished with a spoonful of cream. Sprinkle over freshly chopped coriander leaves and ground black pepper.

Notes Serve with remaining spiced cream and hot crusty bread.

Converted by MC_Buster.

NOTES : A hot soup with the delicious sweet flavour of butternut squash which has been roasted.

Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.